Salient features of RTI Act

Salient Features of RTI Act

Right to information provide for timely response by the government machinery to any query posted by the citizens. It is a powerful tool in the hands of the citizens to delve into the intricacies of government functioning.

The objective of right to information is empower citizens and improve transparency and accountability in the government. This also helps in reducing corruption and promotes a more direct interaction between people thereby facilitating democracy further. Also, a highly vigilant group of citizens can make informed democratic decisions.

Here are things you must know before filing an RTI query.

• A citizen has a right to seek information from a Public Authority which is held by the Public Authority or which is held under its control. 

• The right to seek information from a Public authority is not absolute. Section 8 and 9 enumerate the categories of information which are exempt from disclosure.

• Public authorities to designate Public Information Authorities and Assistant Public Information Officers within 100 days of the enactment. 

• Application for seeking information is to be made to an officer of the Public Authority who is State Public Information Officer. He is responsible to deal with requests of information/assist persons seeking information. 

• The Act makes it obligatory for every Public Authority to make suo-motu disclosure in respect of the particulars of its Organization, functions, duties etc. as provided in section 4 of the Act.

• A Citizen should make an application to the State Public Information Officer in writing in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which application is made.

• No prescribed form of application for seeking information. It can be made on plain paper with Name and complete postal address of the applicant.

• The information seeker is not required to give reasons for seeking information.

• Time limit-30 days/48 Hours/45 Days

• If an application is not supplied information within the prescribed time or not satisfied with the information provided, he may prefer an appeal to the first Appellate Authority who is an officer senior in rank to the Public Information Officer. There are no fees for making this appeal.

• There is a two tier appellate Forum: 1. Appeal to departmental officer senior to the PIO 2. To the Commission.

• If Appellant Authority fails to pass an order on the appeal with in the prescribed period, or if the appellant is not satisfied with the order of the First Appeal Authority, he may prefer a Second Appeal with the State Information Commission within 90 days from the date on which the decision should have been made by the First Appellant Authority or was actually received by the Appellant. 

• There is a provision of Complaint if the Public Information Officer fails to satisfy or it is a case of refusal access to any information requested under the Act or it is a case of overcharging etc. The complaint can be made to the State Information Commission.

• The Commission decides the appeals and conveys its decision to the Appellant/ Complainant and First Appellant Authority.